School support staff are to benefit from a specially-developed online guide, which will help their managers to plan and implement training for them in language, literacy and numeracy skills. The Skills for Life planner has been launched by the Training and Development Agency for Schools and for the first time brings together easy-to-access training information.

A report into the state of social care services in England says more families have to find and pay for their own care because local councils are having to restrict services to those people who have the greatest needs. The thrust of the report from the Commission for Social Care Inspection has been welcomed by Directors of Social Services who say its further evidence of the fact that services are facing increasing demand while resources are dwindling. Local authority leaders, meanwhile, called for a serious debate on how social care needs are to be paid for.

By Laury Hammel and Gun DenhartA business and its community are inextricably linked. The health of one is deeply connected to the health of the other. Growing Local Value shows future and present entrepreneurs how to build or expand a values-driven business that is deeply embedded in the life of the local community. While most people think of community engagement only in terms of philanthropy or volunteerism, Laury Hammel and Gun Denhart show how every aspect of a business, from product creation to employee recruitment to vendor selection to raising capital, can be set up to benefit both the community and the bottom line.